Clear ice cube making device

ABSTRACT

The present invention is a clear ice cube maker that makes clear ice cubes with zero cloudiness in their center. One embodiment of the present invention makes clear ice cubes through a combination of the proper freezing temperature, the direction of freezing water in an ice cube mold, and the proper vibration frequency applied to water. It discloses what constitutes the proper vibration frequency for each water mass in each mold to simultaneously make multiple clear ice cubes with zero cloudiness in their center, and it discloses how to calibrate and simultaneously properly apply the proper frequency to the water in each ice cube mold cavity.

PRIORITY

This utility patent application claims the benefits of provisional application 63/102,512 filed Jun. 19, 2020.

BACKGROUND

There is a need to cost effectively mass produce clear ice cubes for drinking. To accomplish this people are using clear ice making machines for sculpture artist and cutting each cube. A Clinebell CB 300 makes about two 300-pound solid blocks of clear ice every 3 to 5 days. A bin is filled with water. The water is frozen from the n bottom of the bin to the top of the bin. A water pump is placed in the water and moves the water while the water is freezing. The water pump needs to be adjusted upwards periodically as the water in the bin freezes. The water pump agitates the water reducing cloudiness and bubbles in the water as it freezes. These ice makers simulate water moving under ice in a river. When the water is frozen up to the water pump the water pump is removed. Excess water is removed from the bin. Because of the water pump action the finished block of ice generally has high spots and low spots and not flat across as with the present invention after frozen. Then a hoist generally moves the large block of ice to a staging area where it is tempered so it does not shatter when cut. The block is then cut into smaller pieces with a chainsaw. With a bandsaw a person manually cuts thousands of small ice cubes. The cubes are then generally put on large freezing trays and refrozen in a walk-in freezer in a position so they do not refreeze together. These ice cubes are then usually packaged and expensively shipped in trucks with freezers to various venues.

There further are clear ice cube making molds consumers can buy for home use. Usually warm water is placed in these molds that are made from thick rubber. These molds are placed in a freezer and warm water is frozen from the top down by cold air. The cloudiness moves out of the cube mold to another branch area of the mold. Then the branch area is manually trimmed of the cloudiness from the cubes. So they can make clear cubes but the cubes still need to be cut. It only takes a freezing temperature to freeze the cubes with this method as the freezing is done through air from the top down. The combination of the warm water, thick rubber mold, freezing from the top down by air in a freezer, and trimming the branch area, appears to be how these devices work. These devices are not effective for mass production, are messy to use, and labor intense.

Prior Art Discussion

Seo; Kook-jeong; et al, Feb. 16, 2006, 20060032262, discloses an ice tray that has a vibrator attached directly to the tray to “undulate” the water. Seo discloses his device moves the water up and down. Seo gives no explanation whatsoever how to calibrate the vibration frequency to make clear ice having no cloudiness in their center. Seo does not disclose why it is necessary the vibration frequency needs to be calibrated to raise a bubble in water and not sink it. If the frequency is too high bubbles can sink trapping the bubbles causing cloudy ice. If the frequency is too low the bubbles will not raise trapping the bubbles causing cloudy ice. Seo does not disclose a user can periodically adjust the frequency for different water masses and differing atmospheric conditions found in and outside refrigerators or for the varying water conditions around the globe. If the amount or type water in each of Seo's tray cavities are not the same each time, it may require a different so frequency to raise a bubble in the water and not sink it.

SUMMARY

The present invention discloses what constitutes the proper vibration frequency to make clear ice cubes with zero cloudiness in their centers. The present invention further is the first clear ice cube invention that discloses how to calibrate a vibrator to what constitutes the proper frequency and then how to deliver that proper frequency needed for each water mass inside each of the multiple cavities of a mold to simultaneously produce multiple clear ice cubes having zero cloudiness in their center. Without knowing what constitutes the proper frequency, and then determining if you achieved it, and then properly applying it to the water in each mold cavity numbering one or two hundred, making multiple clear ice cubes with zero cloudiness in their center with vibration is by chance.

One embodiment of the present invention utilizes the method of freezing water in a mold from the bottom of the mold to the top of the mold through a freezing surface under the mold. Freezing water from the top or the sides of the mold by freezing air can create cloudy cubes by trapping a great deal of bubbles. As a result a total metal ice cube mold would freeze water from all sides causing cloudiness due to how cold transfers through the metal sidewalls if the transfer is not offset through other means. A standard ice cube tray freezes water from the top down trapping the air bubbles resulting in cloudy ice cubes. Therefore the material composition of the molds is important for making clear ice cubes. One embodiment of the present invention is configured so it does not freeze the water from the sides of the mold or from the top of the mold to the bottom of the mold.

As water freezes in one embodiment of the present inventions mold, a little at a time, from the bottom of the mold, to the top of the mold, the water is vibrated at a frequency to move an air bubble in the water to the surface of the water. If the frequency is to high the bubbles can sink in the water mass trapping the bubbles causing cloudy cubes. If the frequency is to low the bubbles can stay in the middle of the water mass trapping the bubbles causing cloudy cubes. The cloudiness is generally caused from numerous bubbles being trapped together. The cloudiness is not caused by only some bubbles trapped in the cube. Hard water and soft water also have different properties, altitude and numerous other conditions can affect the freezing water conditions may require a different frequency to raise a bubble.

Making clear ice cubes with zero cloudiness in its center requires the proper vibration calibration for a given water mass and the given conditions. One embodiment of the present invention utilizes a gas bubble sensor that tracks movement of air in a liquid to determine the proper vibration frequency to raise a bubble in the water mass and not sink it and this is a visual means. Another embodiment of the present invention utilizes visual magnification. A person watches a bubble raise to the surface of the water through various visual means, this is another visual means. One could use the preferred method, a high power magnification microscope or any other visual means that uses just eyesight. When the bubble raises the vibration frequency is noted on a digital readout on the vibrator and logged. This is one way to calibrate the proper frequency to make clear ice cubes with zero cloudiness in their center. All means functioning through visual observation or otherwise to determine if a bubble raises in water in multiple cavities is contemplated by the present invention and falls into the scope of the present invention. The present invention contemplates all ways to calibrate the frequency and all ways fall into the scope of the present invention. The present invention further discloses embodiments that distribute the proper frequency to too raise a bubble in multiple cavities. They include but are not limited to a freezing tot surface area or bin configured with vibration springs or an impact vibrator that impacts each cavity at the same time at about the same rate.

Archimedes' Principle states that the buoyant force on an object submerged in water is given by: |F˜|=ρV g (6) which states that the upward force on a submerged object is equal to the weight of the fluid displaced by the object. This arises from a difference in pressure between the upper and lower ends of a body in fluids. The lower end will have a higher pressure and will accelerate the body upwards. After combining the various forces associated with this motion and inserting the model parameters into Newton's Second Law, the governing equation of the bubble system is given by: (m+matt)“x+⋅mattx⋅=−F(⋅x)+(m−ρV (t))(Aω2 sin(⋅ωt)+g) (19) matt is the attached mass of the bubble, ⋅mattx⋅ is the term associated with the variation of the attached mass, −F(⋅x) represents the drag force, and the last term is associated with the buoyancy force and the pressure fluctuations in the vibrating liquid. Therefore, in one embodiment of the present invention the vibration frequency varies over the freezing time to compensate for the varying pressures changes as the water freezes to keep a bubble raising.

It takes different vibration frequencies to properly raise a bubble in water depending on the water freeze rate, as determined by the direction the water freezes in the mold, the water mass, if the molds have lids, if the molds are insulated, if it is soft water or hard water, the altitude, etc. Therefore one embodiment of the present invention has an adjustable vibrator that a user can vary the frequency for the given conditions.

In one embodiment of the present invention the freezing surface the mold sits on is −10/−25 degrees Fahrenheit, or lower. It takes a great deal of concentrated cold to freeze a standard size clear ice cube measuring 2 inches by 2 inches by 2 inches, or any cube for that matter, from the bottom of a mold to the top of the mold from a freezing surface underneath the mold. Everyday refrigerators with freezer compartments generally are not configured to have temperatures below about −4 degrees Fahrenheit (F) and most certainly do not have a freezing surface of −10 degrees F. a mold can sit upon. Therefore, proper freezing temperature is an important aspect of one embodiment of the present invention to make clear ice cubes and may not be considered a range or obvious just because there are medical devices and high end commercial freezers that provide extremely cold temperatures, or someone has claimed a clear cube device in combination with a generic refrigerator. In one embodiment of the present invention the rate of freezing is a determining factor on the quality of ice produced and in that embodiment it takes a minimum of 5 hours to freeze a single clear ice cube having a water mass measuring 2 inches by 2 inches by 2 inches. A freezer in a home refrigerator would generally not freeze a water mass measuring 2 inches by 2 inches by 2 inches in less than three hours. Therefore slow freezing is one aspect of one embodiment of the present invention.

Prior to the present invention, mass produced clear ice cube shapes were limited to what can be cut from a large block of ice. Generally a 2 inch×2 inch×2 inch cube which as of 2020 represents the most popular clear ice cube shape and size. The present invention produces round shapes, initials A, B, C, etc., and many other shapes without needing to cut them and can make different shapes at the same time. Making multiple shapes of clear ice cubes where the centers have zero cloudiness at the same time through vibration, should not be considered obvious because of the need to apply a frequency to raise a bubble to the top of the surface of the water in each shape having differing water masses, simultaneously.

All embodiments of the present invention are shown by way of example and not limitation. There are many embodiments of the present invention and they are not limited to what is described herein. All refrigerants are envisioned by the present invention. All configurations of cabinets or piping or bins or refrigeration systems, and the way each or a multiple of each are configured, or how they are configured in relationship to each other, and all methods to reduce freezing times in the production of clear ice cubes with zero cloudiness in their center is contemplated by the present invention and all fall into the scope of the present invention. All shapes and configurations for a surface to freeze water are contemplated by the present invention and fall into the scope of the present invention. All vibration means to deliver a frequency to water to raise a bubble in water is contemplated by the present invention. All electronics, including but not limited to a microprocessor and software to operate the present invention or operate any portion thereof are contemplated by the present invention. The present invention contemplates all embodiments and all embodiments fall into the scope of the present invention and all embodiments are incorporated herein by reference.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an overall view of one embodiment the present invention

FIG. 2 is a view of the freezing plate with a refrigerant piping system.

FIG. 3 shows a clear ice cube mold.

FIG. 4 shows a vibration system that uniformly delivers vibration to multiple mold cavities.

FIG. 5 shows is a mechanism that goes into an ice maker to make it automatic.

FIG. 6 shows a combination clear ice maker and refrigerator.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows clear ice cube maker 1 having compressor 100, refrigeration line 102 and expansion valve 103 and thermostat control 104 and high pressure cutoff control 106. High pressure cutoff control 106 keeps the head pressure up on extremely low temperature refrigeration systems and is not found on home freezers or refrigerators. Cabinet 105 has vibration adjusters 107 which is between cabinet 105 and bin 108. Vibration adjusters 107 allows bin 108 to vibrate while cabinet 105 does not vibrate allowing about a uniformed distribution of vibration frequency to water in cavities 112 or mold 111 to raise a bubble (not shown) to the surface of the water (not shown). vibration adjusters 107. In one embodiment of the present invention vibration adjusters 107 are high tension coils and can be a variety of mechanisms. Vibration adjusters 107 allow the surface to freeze water 109 to freely move in a multitude of directions. When the bin 108 is touched in one embodiment of the present invention vibration adjuster 107 allows bin 108 to giggle freely atop cabinet 105 when having up to 118 pounds of water or more in bin 108. In one embodiment of the present invention freezing surface 109 is configured to have a temperature of −10 to −25 degrees Fahrenheit or lower. One embodiment of the present invention has more than one bin 108 and more than one freezing surface 109 and in they are stacked. In one embodiment of the present invention freezing surface 109 moves up and down. One schooled in the art would know how to accomplish this goal and therefore an illustration is not necessary. Mold receiver 110 sits atop freezing surface 109. In one embodiment of the present invention freezing surface 109 has any shape or configuration. Freezing surface 109 Mold 111 having cavities 112 fits into openings 113. Mold receiver 110 is configured to reduce the cold from freezing surface 109 moving upwards and freezing water in cavities 112 from the sidewalls of the cavities 112, mold receiver 110 is an insulator. Adjustable vibrator with digital readout 115 sits atop cover 114 and has dial 115A so when a user finds the right frequency to raise a bubble in a water mass, they can set the dial to that frequency. In other words one embodiment of the present invention has a vibrator that is calibrated to raise a bubble in water and another multiple vibrators. In one embodiment of the present invention the vibrator is powered by a battery. In different embodiments of the present invention vibrator 115 is located on the bin 108 or multiple bins or attached directly to freezing surface 109. Embodiments of vibrator 115 include, but are not limited to a pneumatic air cylinder, offset, piston, sonic, or any other configuration of a device that vibrates. Cover 114 is configured to sit atop the cavities 112 distributing a vibration frequency evenly enough to raise a bubble in water to the surface water in a any number of cavities 112. Gas sensor 116 has a probe (not shown) that can be placed into water (not shown) in the cavities 112. On screen 117 on gas sensor 116 a user can determine if a bubble (not shown) in the water (not shown) in cavities 112 raises to the surface of the water. High magnification device 118 is removable from cabinet 105 and a user can look through the high magnification device 118 and see if the frequency of the vibration in water in cavities 112 raises a bubble to the surface of the water. In one embodiment of the present invention bin 108 is vibrated in a manner it moves up and down.

FIG. 2 shows freezing surface 109 having refrigeration pipe 119. Refrigeration pipe 119 freezes the freezing surface 109. The present invention contemplates any shape and numerous configurations for these freezing surfaces and all fall into the scope of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows clear ice cube mold 130 having sidewalls 131 and bottom wall 132. In one embodiment of the present invention clear ice cube mold 130 is made from a polymer. In one embodiment of the present invention bottom wall 130A sits atop freezing surface 109 (not shown). As the water 133 freezes the proper frequency to raise a bubble 134 to the surface 135 of water 133 is applied to water 133. Bottom wall 132, also known as freezing side, is configured so cold goes through it and freezes the water 133 from the bottom position A to top position B of mold 130. Lid 130A covers clear ice cube mold 130 so when it is vibrated water 133 splashing outside mold 130 is reduced. Bottom wall 132 is made from a polymer or an alloy. If a polymer it is configured with the proper thickness to allow cold to go through it and freeze a clear ice cube. The sidewalls 131 are made of a polymer or a material that has insulated properties so the water 133 does not freeze through the sidewalls. In one embodiment of the present invention the ice cube mold 130 is made from an alloy. To prevent mold 130 from freezing water from sidewalls 131 sidewalls 131 are heated or insulated and a lid wall 130A is heated or insulated. One schooled in the art would know how to accomplish this goal. Heating the lid wall 130A prevents frozen slush from forming in the top of the water until the water is totally frozen from the bottom of the mold 130. Therefore in one embodiment of the present invention the total environment within mold 130 is controlled and therefore once the vibration is calibrated it will make clear ice cubes having zero cloudiness in their center continually. This embodiment when coupled with embodiments in FIG. 4 provide for the first automatic clear ice cube maker and dispenser. By places numerous mold 130 tightly together with no space in between them filled with water 133, water 133 provides insulation so the water does not freeze through the sidewalls 133.

FIG. 4 shows adjustable vibration device 126 having pistons 127. Pistons 127 are also known as an impact vibrator(s). In one embodiment of the present invention the number of pistons 127 equal the number of cavities 128 in clear ice mold 129. In other words if there are 100 cavities 128, there are 100 pistons, 127. One embodiment of the present invention utilizes a microprocessor to adjust the frequency to each of the cavities 128 requirement. In one embodiment of the present invention freezing surface 109 is located between clear ice mold 129 and pistons 127. Pistons 127 are configured in to hit freezing surface 109 at the exact spot cavities 128 are located above at the exact same time. This provides that the vibration frequency is delivered to each of the multiple cavities 128 uniformly enough to raise a bubble illustrated in FIG. 3 to the surface of the water of each of the cavities 128 no matter the number. In one embodiment of the present invention pistons 127 are configured to stay in contact with the freezing surface 109 not moving in and out and they are configured to vibrate. This configuration provides optimum frequency distribution to all cavities 128 no matter the number. Vibration pinpoint delivered to each of the cavities 128. There are various ways to distribute the same frequency evenly or about evenly to each of the cavities 128 and are all contemplated by the present invention and fall into the scope of the present invention. In one embodiment of the present invention a microprocessor, not shown, but known in the art can adjust the pistons 127 vibration to deliver a different frequency to one of the cavities 128 and a different frequency to another of the cavities 128. One schooled in the art would know how to accomplish this goal. This is one means of making multiple shaped clear ice cubes each having a different water mass at the same time. In one embodiment of the present invention pistons 127 are configured to move freezing surface 109 up and down. All means to move freezing surface 109 up and down to vibrate water in cavities 128 is contemplated by the present invention and falls into the scope of the present invention. All means functioning to move cavities 128 up and down are contemplated by the present invention and fall into the scope of the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows mold 120 having cavities 121. Water is automatically filled from metered water source 121. Freezing surface 122 is turned upside down by turning and combination freezing vibration mechanism 123 that vibrates and freezes water (not shown) in cavities 121.

FIG. 6 shows a combination clear ice cube maker and refrigerator 136 having freezing surface 139 that mold 111 sits atop. Mold 111 is also seen in FIG. 1. Vibrator 134 vibrates water (not shown) in mold 111 at a frequency to raise a bubble to the surface of the water. Vented area 138 allows air from outside clear ice cube maker and refrigerator 136 to keep the temperature above mold 111 warm enough so the water does not freeze from the top of mold 111 by cold air above mold 111. There are numerous ways to prevent water from freezing from the top of the mold with a heater clement (not shown) and all ways fall into the scope of the present invention. Vibrator 139 vibrates water (not shown) in mold 111.

Term Definitions and Discussion

The term “clear ice cubes” in a disclosure is ambiguous if not defined in the disclosure and that definition claimed. The term clear ice cubes is subjective, e.g., is it totally clear or partially clear? Is the clear cube cloudy in the center and perfectly clear elsewhere? Does it have a few visible bubbles or none? There is no national standard or uniform legal definition for what constitutes a clear ice cube. The only accurate and legal definition of what constitutes a clear ice cube is what is claimed. Therefore even if a disclosure states clear cubes with a “zero cloudiness center” can be produced, unless claimed, in these circumstances, it should not be considered obvious to the present invention. The present invention narrowly defines and narrowly claims what type of clear ice cubes it makes.

The term “cube” herein means any shaped ice for drinking, it does not just constitute a cube shape. The term “clear ice” or “clear ice cube” herein means, ice or an ice cube that has some visible bubbles or zero visible bubbles and zero visual cloudiness in its center.

The term “zero cloudiness” or “zero visible cloudiness” herein means a person with 20/20 vision cannot see cloudiness in the center of the cube.

The term “cloudiness” herein means the visual cloudiness found in the center of an ice cube produced in a standard metal ice cube tray and is made in the home refrigerator freezer compartment. 

1. A clear ice making device, comprising: a compressor, an expansion valve, a surface to freeze water, a mold positioned in proximity above the surface to freeze water, a vibrator, wherein the vibrator is adjusted to vibrate water in the mold at a frequency to raise a bubble in the water to the surface of the water during freezing of the water, and wherein the device is further configured so the water freezes substantially from a bottom position of the mold to a top position of the mold from cold going through a bottom wall of the mold.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the ice produced has zero visible cloudiness in its center.
 3. The device of claim 1, wherein the vibrator is adjustable allowing a user to vary the frequency for different water masses and conditions.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein the surface to freeze water is configured having a segment with a temperature lower than −10 degrees Fahrenheit or lower.
 5. The device of claim 1, further comprising more than one vibrator.
 6. A clear ice cube making device, comprising: a compressor, an expansion valve, a thermostat, multiple molds, a vibrator, the vibrator providing a frequency to water to raise a bubble in the water to the surface of the water in the multiple molds, the multiple molds configured having sidewalls and a lid, the device further configured to allow the water to freeze substantially through one of the walls, and wherein a clear ice cube produced has zero visible cloudiness in its center.
 7. A clear ice cube making device, comprising: a compressor, an expansion valve, a high pressure cutoff control, multiple molds, and a vibrator calibrated to raise a bubble in the water to the surface of the water in the multiple molds.
 8. (canceled)
 9. The device of claim 7, wherein the vibrator is adjustable so a user can change the vibration frequency.
 10. A clear ice cube making device, comprising: a compressor, an expansion valve, a thermostat, multiple molds, a vibrator, the vibrator configured so a user can adjust the vibrators vibration to raise a bubble in water to the surface of the water in the multiple molds.
 11. The device of claim 10, further comprising more than one vibrator.
 12. (canceled)
 13. (canceled)
 14. The device of claim 10, further comprising a lid wall to reduce water splashing outside the multiple molds when the water is vibrated.
 15. (canceled)
 16. (canceled)
 17. (canceled)
 18. (canceled)
 19. (canceled)
 20. (canceled)
 21. (canceled)
 22. A method to simultaneously make multiple clear ice cubes having zero visible cloudiness in their center, comprising the following steps:
 1. Providing a compressor.
 2. Providing an expansion valve.
 3. Providing multiple molds.
 4. Filling the multiple molds with water.
 5. Determining the proper vibration needed to raise a bubble in the water in the multiple molds for given conditions.
 6. As the water is freezing in each of the multiple molds apply the proper vibration determined by the step 5 to the water in the multiple molds.
 23. An ice cube making device, comprising: a mold having water therein, wherein a segment of the mold is heated, and a vibrator calibrated to raise a bubble in the water to the surface of the water.
 24. An ice cube making device, comprising: a compressor, an expansion valve, multiple molds having water therein, a vibrator calibrated to simultaneously raise a bubble in the water to the surface of the water in the multiple molds as the water is starting to freeze, and means functioning to keep air temperature in proximity above the surface of the water above freezing preventing the surface of the water from freezing from the air above the surface of the water.
 25. An automatic clear ice cube making device, comprising: a compressor, an expansion valve, a thermostat, multiple molds, means functioning to automatically fill the multiple molds with water, wherein the water freezes from cold going through a segment of the multiple molds, a vibrator configured to vibrate the water in the multiple molds to raise a bubble in the water to the surface of the water.
 26. The device of claim 25, wherein a clear ice cube produced has zero visible cloudiness in its center.
 27. A clear ice cube making device, comprising: a mold made with a polymer having a sidewall and a bottom wall, wherein a segment of the bottom wall has a thickness thinner than a thickness of a segment of the sidewall, the polymer is configured to allow cold to go through the bottom wall and freeze water from a bottom position of the mold to a top position of the mold, the mold further configured so a segment of the sidewall contacts a segment of a mold receiver when the mold is inserted into an opening in the mold receiver.
 28. A method to make ice comprising the following steps:
 1. Provide a mold.
 2. Fill the mold with flavored water.
 3. Start freezing the flavored water through a wall of the mold.
 4. Agitate or vibrate the flavored water during the freezing of the flavored water at a rate to raise a bubble in the flavored water to the surface of the flavored water. 5 Add a handle.
 29. A clear ice making device, comprising: a compressor, an expansion valve, a thermostat, a mold having walls, a vibrator, wherein the device is configured so water freezes from cold going through a wall of the mold, and further comprising a vibration adjuster to aid in vibration distribution.
 30. An ice cube making device, comprising: a compressor, an expansion valve, multiple molds having water therein, a vibrator calibrated to simultaneously raise a bubble in the water to the surface of the water in the multiple molds as the water is starting to freeze, and means functioning to allow the water to freeze only from a bottom position of the multiple molds to a top position of the multiple molds from cold going through a bottom wall of the multiple molds. 